London to San José (Alajuela) (LGW–SJO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
LGW–SJO is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. British Airways leads the route. The flight covers 5,424 miles in approximately 11h 40m. Beyond nonstop, 9 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA British Airways | 3 | 772 | 11h40 | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach San José (Alajuela) from London
| Metric | LGW→SJO | LTN→SJO |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from LGW | – | 51 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 3 | 1 |
| Flight time | 11h 40m | 1h 11m |
Travel Essentials
LGW: GMT · SJO: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in London, it's 12:00 PM in San José (Alajuela).
British passport holders enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least one blank page.
You need proof of onward travel (a return flight or bus ticket out of Costa Rica). Immigration may ask for evidence of sufficient funds ($100 per month of intended stay). Complete the Digital Health Pass (salud.go.cr) before arrival. Extensions beyond 180 days are not available; you must leave the country and re-enter. The standard border run to Panama or Nicaragua resets the clock.
No direct flights from the UK to Costa Rica exist. Common one-stop routings connect via Madrid (Iberia), Miami, or Houston, with total journey times of 13 to 16 hours. Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colon (CRC), trading at roughly 510 CRC per $1. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals, but hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended. Costa Rica charges a $29 departure tax, included in the airfare since 2015.
The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.
LGW–SJO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from LGW to SJO
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) are connected by nonstop service from British Airways. With 3 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
LGW to SJO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from LGW to SJO ranges from 11 hours 40 minutes. The route covers a distance of 5,424 miles (8,728 km). There are approximately 3 weekly flights outbound and 3 return, totaling 6 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
9 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 14 hours via YUL. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Luton, Luton (LTN).